Registering mechanism



Jan. 31, 1939. R PUDELKQ M 2,145,697

REGISTERING MECHANISM Filed Jan. a, 1935 l N V E N T0 R 5 Eiccam Fade! /(0 AND BY Haws Fable/r @WQN v ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 31, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,145,097 REGISTERING MECHANISM Riccard Pudelko and Hans Toliler, Zng, Switzerland, assignors to Landis & Gyr, A.-G., a corporation of Switaerland 10 Claims.- on. 235 -1) The present invention relates to registering mechanisms and more particularly to a novel' and improved printing recorder.

Objects and advantages .of the invention will 5 be setforth in part hereinafter and in part willbe obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements, herein shown and described.

' The accompanying drawing, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrates one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the invention,

Of the drawing: J

.Figure l is a diagrammatic perspective view, with certain parts omitted and certain other parts broken away, of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and

liig'ure 2 is a sectional view of the mechanism shown in Figure 1.

The present invention has for its object the provision of a novel and improved registering or recording mechanism, particularly adapted for use in connection with periodic demand meters, and which is more accurate than those heretofore provided. A further object is theprovision of the periodic recording demand meter in which the printing and resetting operations take place in a relatively short period oftime. Still another object is the provision of such a-mechanism in which the drive from the meter to the recording mechanism is coupled to an intermediate printing drum rather than to the lowest printing drum. A further object is the provision of a recording meter in which" the printing drums are advanced slightly immediately before printing, thereby preventing a faulty impression of only a portion of two digits. r

In accordance with the illustrative form of the presentinvention a plurality of indicating or printing drums are provided, one for each digit of the sum to be indicated or printed, which are advanced as by an electric meter in accordance with the power consumption or other value being measured. Means are provided for periodically resetting the drums to an original position and if desired for recording the values just prior to the resetting operation, and during the printing and resetting period, the drums are moved so that a full digit is printed, and faulty impressions in which aportion of two digits might be printed are completely avoided. The drive from the scription as well are exemplary and explanatory 16 of the invention but are not restricted thereto. Referring now in detail to the illustrative embodiment of the invention as shown in the accompanying drawing, the invention is illustrated in connection with the periodic recording mechao nism of amaximum demand meter. As embodied,

' a watt-hour meter or other measuring device drives a shaft III on which is mounted a pinion l meshing with a gear l2 on shaft l3. Shaft I3 is connected to the printing drum I4, by means of a friction clutch l'l having gear teeth-on its outer periphery, an idler I8 and a one-way clutch 20. One-way clutch 20 is mounted to one side of the drum ll on shaft 2|, .while idler I8 is fixed to shaft 22, and a pawl and ratchet 23 is provided forpreventing reverse rotation of clutch I1 and its shaft l3. 'Iransfer mechanism is provided between drums I4 and it, as well as between the additional drums which maybe provided as neededand whose number depends upon the recording capacity of the mechanism. In the form shown in the drawing, each complete revolution of the drum l4 causes drum It to be rotated one tenth of one revolution, although if desired the mechanism may be adapted for use on other than 40 a decimal system. Means are provided .for timing and operating the recording mechanism, and for this purpose a 'cam shaft 25 is provided, and suitable clockaotuated mechanism (not shown) may be pro- 5 vided for rotating the cam shaft 25 one complete revolution at the end of each recording period of fifteen minutes, for instance. Cam shaft 25 carries on it a resetting cam 25, an advancing cam 21, an escapement operating cam 28, a detent operating cam 29, a feeler operating cam 30 and a printer cam 3|.

Normally, and at the beginning of each recording period, each of the drums is set at 9", so thatthedrumssbcwninthedrawingwouldbelin position to print the numeral "999, immediately before the drums are advanced by operation ofthe meter and rotation of the shaft l3. If at the end of the reco ding period 124 units have been measured by t e metering apparatus,

drum l4 will have been advanced 1.24 revolutions, drum |6 will have been advanced 0.12 revolution, drum l5 and the thousands drum (not shown) will not have been advanced. Thereafter, and as the timing shaft 25 rotates, the various recording operations take place, first advancing the drum l5 to its next position, advancing drum M to its next position and similarly advancing drum l6 to its own next position.

Thereafter, the printing platen is actuated to.

make an impression of the proper numerals on each of the drums, and after completion of the printing operation all of the drums are restored to their original position, i. e., 999, and thereafter the forward movement of the drums in.

'Arm '36 is pivotally mounted on shaft 31 and is rigidly connected to an arm 38, resiliently urged upwardly by means of spring 39. A cam roller 48 is mounted at the rear of arm- 38 and when the roller rides off the high part of the cam, the hammer 35 strikes an ink ribbon 4| pressing ittowards the type face and against the record sheet 42, then rebounding slightly to permit easy unimpeded movement of the paper and ribbon. Similar hammers are provided for each of the other drums, and all may be actuated from the single cam 3| and arm 38. Record strip 42.is fed upwardly over roller 43 by means of the timing mechanism (not shown) where a, time record is desired, or it may be fed forwardly only after each recording operation. 1

Means are provided for momentarily preventing driving of the drums l4, l5 and I6 from the meter during the advancing and printing periods and for this purpose a detent is provided comprising lever 45 pivoted on shaft 46 and having a tooth 41 at its lower end to engage the teeth of gear 48 which is fast on shaft 22. Toothed lever 45 is held out of engagement with gear 48 by means of cam roller '49 on the upper end of lever 45 which contacts with detent operating cam 29 and is resiliently urged into locking position by means of spring 5|]. shaft 22, thereby holding the drums against movement by the meter, but permitting them to be advanced just prior to printing.

Means are provided .for determining the position of -theunit drum |5 and for setting a stop to restrain advance of this drum beyond the next unit or digit just prior to printing. For this purpose a bifurcated feeler is pivotally mounted on shaft 46 and has. its lower end 51 adapted to engage a toothed star wheel 56. For use on the decimal system, star wheel 56- is formed with ten points or teeth 58, each of which on its trailing side is divided into ten teeth or steps 59, the steps being of uniform size and spacing. Lever 55 is formed with an upwardly extending arm 60 carry- 5 ing cam roller 6| which engages cam 30 and is held thereagainst by spring 62 which alsoserves This detent prevents movement of to urge the feeler against a step of the star wheel 56. Star wheel 56 is fast on shaft 22 .and is thus 'positioned in accordance with the position of drum |4, its rate of movement being the same as that of drum |4.

The other lower arm of bifurcated lever 55 is considerably longer than arm 51 and is provided with a forwardly projecting finger 65 extending towards drum shaft 2| to cooperate with the stepped disc 66 on sleeve 61 fast to drum l5 but freely rotatable on shaft 2|. Finger 65 is positioned a definite distance from shaft 2| by co operation between finger 51 and teeth 59 to form a definite abutment for one or the other of steps 68 on disc 66, thereby limiting the amount of advancing rotation which can be given to drum Drums I4 and |6 are each connected to shaft 2| by means of a one tooth ratchet 20 and 1| which cooperate with their pawls 12 and 13 mounted on drums l4 and 6 respectively. Drum|5 is connected to shaft 2|, on which it is mounted, by means of leaf spring 15, which has its inner end fastened to the hub of arm 16 fast on shaft 2| and has its outer end fastened to a stop pin TI extending laterally from the side of the drum l5. These parts are arranged to move drum l5 resiliently in a-clockwise direction by cloclrwise movement of shaft 2| and the tensioning of spring 15, while the drum is moved in a counterclockwise direction by positive engagement of the arm 16 with pin 11. Drum 5 is normally stationary during the recording period, but at the end of the period, drum I5 is set for printing by clockwise movement of the shaft, turning the drum to a lower number until it reaches the proper digit as determined by the setting of stop finger 65 acting against the stepped disc 66. Thus, just prior to printing, the drum |5 moves oppositely to thenormal accumulating movement of drums l4 and i6.

Means are also provided for moving the several drums ahead to the next digit, so as to prevent faulty impressions in which the lower part of a 3 and the upper part of a 4 might be printed where the recorded value is between 3 and 4. These means also serve to compensate for the fact that at the beginning of each recording period the drums are returned to 999. As embodied, a. ten-toothed star wheel is mounted on shaft 22 and is moved clockwise by means of finger 8| at the lower'end of arm 82 pivotally mounted on shaft 46 and moved'by cam 21 against the tension of spring 83. The. rear faces of the teeth of star wheel 88 are spiral shaped, while the leading faces .of the teeth are radial and as finger BI is urged against the teeth by spring 83 any resulting movethe arrow (on gear l8), thereby moving drum |4 counterclockwise to the next digit, but not more .than one-tenth revolution. y

The unit drum is similarly advanced by mean of .gear segment 85 which is pivotally mounted on shaft 46 and meshes with pinion 86 fast on shaft 2|. Segment 85 is integral with the upwardly projecting arm 8'! on which is mounted cam roller 88 to contact with and be operated by cam 26 against the tension-of spring 89. As segment 85 is released for movement by spring 89 under'the control of cam 26, pinion 86 is rotated at least one-tenth revolution, causing unit drum l5 to be rotated in a clockwise direction by power applied through shaft2| and spring 15 until the stepped disc 66 is stopped by engagement with finger 65, where this disc and drum- "ment of shaft 22 is forward in the direction of I are held until merit of the spring 10. During For advancing drum It to the next digit, a pawl is slidably mounted to engage ratchet wheel 02 and means are provided for moving this pawl to advance drum I6 not more than one-' tenth revolution. Pawl 00 is pivotally mounted on the O-ended lever 95 and is held against ratchet 02 by compression of spring I00. Lever 90 is pivotally mounted on shaft IOI on which is also mounted lever I02. A stop I 03 and compression spring I04 limit the relative movement of levers 09 and I02. Spring I04 between plates I05 and I06 and is mounted on a pin I01 fixed to plate I05 and projecting through an aperture in plate I06. At its upper end; lever I02 carries a roller which engages cam arm 28,

ing action of beil crank 89 For resetting the drums M, I5 and I6 after printing cam 26 operates segment "rotating shaft 2? counter-clockwise a full revolution, this rotation .ratchets 20 and ii and stop arr; iii up their active drums and rc-= 5 ir o position, 999. This return movement t counterclockwise under cont; ch revoiution o rim it? r strait a r- Lint.

responding to Q8, due

out. of the deeper recess 92a, after o ni" not a: ier mechn n serves sis he hun sire-d3 r3:

The operation filustrative embodiment will be clear from the description but be summarized and further explained, as follows:

At the beginning of a recording period the have been returned to their normai position of 999. Aswthe'met'er or other operating instrumentality operates, pinion I0 drives gear I2, driving the clutch I? by its, external gear teeth and gears I0 and 20 to rotate drum II in a counter-clockwise direction. During this time,

is compressed drum I0 is advanced at one-tenth the rate or drum I4 by the transfer mechanism 00, H0.

Assume that by the end oi" the recording period 257 units have been metered, the drums will be positioned as follows:

"Drum Ii-between 1 and 2. Drum I4 between 4 and 5. Drum IHI; 9.

Cam shaft 20 then begins to rotate at a rela- 1 tively rapid speed, and when this has moved to releases lever 00 and if pinion II rotated during'this period.

With cam shaft in position II, cam releases arm and spring 62 moves feeler 5'! against the stepped star wheel 58 and into engagement with seventh step 59 of the fifth tooth or at rest position thereby setting stop finger 65.

In position III, cam 27 releases lever 82 very slightly, setting stop 90 and cam 28 also begins to move pawl 98 to advance drum I6 to the next digit.

In position IV, cam 26 releases arm .87 so that spring 89 raises segment 85 rotating pinion 86 clockwise, and-the seventh step 88 of disc engages finger 65 stopping further rotation of drum I5, by force applied through the spring connecting the drum to the shaft 2i, but spring i5 permits further rotation of shaft 2i until roller 88 rides against the hub of cam 25.

also in this sector, earn completes its operative movements which comprises first contactwith lever to rock lever 5'9 about pivot Hit, by force applied through spring 29 1!, thereby moving pawl to r2 to set the drum M3 to the next higher digit "tor the lever i is freed cam allowing later to he retu med to the left by rotation of the cam I iii.

when the cams turn to position V cam 29 retracts tooth ii, earn 21 releases lever so the upper end of hell crank against a tooth or" ratchet to center drum accurately. Thus, by the action of cams in and drums i and respectively, have been advanced to the n higher digit, independently or each other. 'oosition VI printing cam 35 has raised 2 to their extreme position and then rem to against the ribbon. fit! pressing the paper supported by the type 7 ins M, 55 and in position V113 cams levers 32 and 6G to their original positions.

Position "121 serves to return the drums to their original position of 999 as segment is lowered by cam 26. As segment moves dowm wardiy, pinion 06 is rotated counterclockwise and pawis 12,-" and stop arm move their respective drums back to their original positions,

The parts are ail new in their original posi" tions, cam shaft 2h stops and the consumption during the new period again advances the drums Assuming that no consumption taken place during the period the drums are 999 and must be moved to "003 for recording.

Drum I5 is moved to Q by movement of. segment 8! under control of disc 68 and stop 08. Drum I 4 is moved to 0" by the advance feeding motion or finger 0| against star wheel 00.

35 return their Drum I6 is moved to by reciprocation of pawl 98 by cam 28 and this feed also advances the thousands and other drums to ,0 position.

The following table will be helpful in studying the operation .of the described mechanism:

Hundreds Tens Units Start at 9 9 9 Metered value.. 2 3 4 Drum movement 0. 23 rev. 2. 34 rev. 0.0 rev. Drum shows 1 2 0. 9 Drum advanced for pm 0. 07 rev. 0.6 rev. 0.5 rev. Recorded value 2 3 i 4 Revolutions from start. 0. 3 rev. 2. 4 rev. 0. 5 rev.

+0. 7 rev. +0. 6 rev. O. 6 rev.

Reset movement For use in computing and other printing or registering devices, the cam shaft 25 may be operated whenever desired or on'the completion of certain other operations, while the shaft l0 may be manually or otherwise advanced. The printing accessories may be dispensed with if registered values are requiredand no record is desired.

The. invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What we claim is:

1. Registering mechanism including in combination a pair of registering members, one indieating complete movements of the other, means for advancing one and the other thereby, and a third registering member, and means operated after said advancing means member under a common control with one of the other members.

2. Registering mechanism including in combination three indicating drums, means for advancing one of said drums, means for advancing another drum by movement of the onedrum,

- means controlled with one of the two drums for positioning a stop, and means third drum against the stop.

3. Registering mechanism including in combiior moving the nation a pair of indicating drums, means for advancing one of said drums, means for moving the other drum operating after said advancing means, and means controlled with the first drum for limiting movement of the second drum.

4. Registering mechanism including in combination a pair of indicating drums interconnected by transfer means and having digits on their faces, ineans for-advancing said drums, means for returning each of said'drums to 9,: means for advancing the drum of lower order to. the next higher :digit, and means for aligning the digits on the drum of high order. a j

5. Registering mechanism including in combi' for advancing the tial position,

. means for aligning tial position,

for moving said third j nation a pair of indicating drums interconnected by transfer means and having faces, means for advancing said drums, means for returnnig each of said drums to 9", means lower one of said drums to the next higher digit, means for aligning the digits of the higher of said drums, and a third drum positioned in accordance with small movements of one of the other drums.

6. Registering mechanism including nation a pair of indicating drums having digits on their faces, means for advancing said drums, means for resetting said drums to a normal inimeans for, advancing said drums immediately before resetting the digits of one of the drums immediately before resetting;

'7. Totalizing mechanism including in combiperiodically and nation a pair of indicating drums having digitson their faces, means for advancing said drums, means for resetting said drums to anormal inimeans for advancing said drums periodically and immediately before resetting, and means for aligning the digits of one of the drums immediately before resetting. 8. Totalizing mechanism including in combination a pair'of drums, means for advancing one of said drums, a cam driven with said one drum, a pawl operated by the cam, a ratchet on the other drum, centering means cooperating with both drums, a third drum rotatable independently of the others and a stop set with one of the other drums before centering and controlling the position of the third drum. 9. Totalizing mechanism including in combination a plurality of drums having digits on their faces, a shaft on which the drums are rotatable,

. transfer mechanism interconnecting certain of a cam for operating the advancing means, a cam for operating the stop, all of said cams being timed for proper sequential operation.

i0. Registering mechanism including in combinaticn a shaft, a stepped star wheel on the shaft and rotated thereby, a drum rotated by the shaft, a feeler engaging a step on the star wheel, a stop positioned by the feeler, a second drum, and cam means for advancing slightly the first drum and then rotating the second drum to a position corresponding to the position of the first drum before its advance, and for resetting both drums.

mccann .PUDELKO. HANS TOBLER.

in combiand g 

